Washburn man arrested after police chase, fleeing accident scene

WASHBURN, Maine — A 20-year-old Washburn man is out on bail following his arrest early Saturday morning after a chase through Presque Isle and Washburn that ended when he crashed his car.

Connor Fitzpatrick was charged by Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department officers with operating under the influence of alcohol, eluding an officer, criminal speed and leaving the scene of an accident, according to information released Sunday afternoon by Sgt. Forrest Dudley of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.

According to Dudley, he attempted to stop Fitzpatrick just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday on the Washburn Road in Presque Isle for suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Fitzpatrick failed to stop his car, Dudley said in the release, and continued to travel toward Washburn at a high rate of speed until he lost control of his car in a curve and hit a guardrail.

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After the car came to a stop, Dudley said, Fitzpatrick fled on foot and was apprehended about one-quarter of a mile from the accident scene, where he was arrested and transported by Crown Ambulance to the Aroostook Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.

He made bail later that morning and was released, Dudley said.

Dudley was assisted at the scene by Sheriff’s Deputies Ryan Rackliffe, Mitchell Wheeler, members of the Washburn Police Department, members of the Maine State Police and the Washburn Fire Department.